Electric signaling system



-No 596,226. Patented Dec. 28, 1

Q is 15 x w|TNEssES=- F INVENTOR 4 J v BY Wm x A I j a1 ATTOBNEYA tutethe block Z next in advance. signals A, B, and O guard the blocks X Y ZUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADONIRAM J. WILSON, OF PORT CHESTER, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,226, dated December28, 1897.

' Application filed December 21, 1895: Serial No. 572,902. (No model.)

T 0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADONI RAM J. WILSON, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Port Chester, in the county of Westchester and Stateof New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in ElectricSignaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrical signaling systems for railways, andhas for its object to provide for the safe and rapid conduct of traflicby means of a simple and efficient system in which home and distantsignals may be employed.

The invention consists of the construction and arrangement hereinafterpointed out.

In the drawing forming part of this speci fication one embodiment of theinvention is clearly shown in diagram.

Referring now particularly to this illustrated embodiment of theinvention, the track is divided into subsections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,and 9. The rails of these several subsec tions, as herein shown, areincluded in separate normally-closed track-circuits,which also includethe magnets a, b, c, d, c, f, and g, subsections 3, 4:, 6, and 7, alsoincluding circuitcontrollers b, c, e, and f, operated by the magnets h,c, e, and f, respectively. The track is divided into blocks, eachincluding a plurality of subsections. Subsection 1 is the lastsubsection of block W. Subsections 2, 3, and 4t constitute the block X.Subsections 5, 6, 7, and 8 constitute the block Y next in advance, andsubsections 9, &c., consti- The home and are located at the entrance oftheir respective blocks. Near the home signals and preferably on thesame post are the distant signals A B O,which guard the blocks next inadvance of themas, for example, distant signal A guards block Y, distantsignal B guards block Z, and distant signal 0 guards the block next inadvance of block Z. These signals are all normally at danger, and

- each signal is operated or controlled by a normally-denergizedsignal-circuit. The power for actually moving the signals may of coursebe electric, pneumatic, mechanical, or other suitable power. Electricpower, however, is preferred.

D, D, and D are the batteries for the signal-circuits.

The signal-circuits of the block Y will be first explained. The signalsfor this block Y are the home signal B, located at the entrance of theblock, and the distant signal A, located in the rear of this signal, or,as shown, at the entrance of the block X. The circuit for the signal Bincludes battery D normally-closed circuit-controller 7L2, wire 10,signal instrument or motor of signal I), magnet 71., normally opencircuit-controller m, and wire 20. The circuit for the distant signal Aincludes battery D circuit-controller 77?, wire 10, wire 11, connectedWith wire 10 at 12, normallyclosed circuit-controller in, wire 13,instrument or motor of signal A, normally open circuit-controller o, andwires 14 and 20. It will be noted that these signals B and A as thusarranged are in multiple, the circuits for both signals being open atcircuit-controllers m and o. The circuits of the home signalA anddistant signal (not shown) of block X will be now referred to. Thishome-signal circuit includes battery D, normally-closedcircuitcontroller h, wire 15, instrument or motor of signal A, magnet72., normally open circuitcontroller m, and wires 14 and 20. The distantsignal for this block is located near the entrance of block W, itscircuit including battery D, circuit-controller h, wire 15, wire 16,connected to 15 at 17, circuit-controller 70, wire 18,860., similar tocircuit for distant signal B. circuits of the home and distant signalsfor the block W, current from battery D passing through normally-closedcircuit-controller h, wire 19, &c. The circuit for home signal 0 is onlypartially shown, but it includes the wire 21, instrument or motor ofsignal 0, magnet n circuit-controller m wire 22, wire 20, &c. Thecircuit of the distant signal 0 is only partially shown,but it includesthe wire 23, circuit-controller 0 wires 22 and 20, &c. The circuit ofthe distant signal B is only partially shown, but it includes the wireThe battery D is connected with the 21, the wire 24, connected at 25 towire 21,

ICO

and m are controlled b ma net d and circuit-controllers It, 7& and m arecontrolled by magnet g.

The operation of the system is as follows, traffic moving in thedirection of the arrow: A train in block V takes the current from magneta, breaking at eircuit-controlle r h the circuits for the home anddistant signals of block \V and breaking at 70 the circuit for thedistant signal of the block X, holding or putting to danger thesesignals behind the train. Oircuit-controllerm at the same time closesthe circuit for the home signal A, putting it to safety in advance ofthe train. It will be seen that the circuit for the distant signal Acannot close at 0 until the circuit for the home signal has beenenergized and that the latter circuit, therefore, initiates the movementof the distant signal to safety. \Vhen the train enters upon subsection2, it shunts the magnet 12, thereby breaking track circuits of magnets cand d and breaking at h the circuit for the home signal A of block X andalso the circuit for the distant signal of this block located at theentrance of block V, already broken at 7t, thereby deenergizing magnet nand breaking at o the circuit for the distant signal A of block Y.Signals A and A therefore go to danger. It also breaks at it the circuitof the distant signal A. It also closes at m the circuit of the homesignal B, putting it to safety in advance of the train. The closing ofthis circuit at m energizes magnet 77, and closes at 0 the circuit ofthe distant signal B, putting it to safety in advance of the train.\Vhen the train leaves block \V, the circuitcontrollers 72, 7c, and mare restored to their normal position and the circuits of the home anddistant signals of block \V are in a condition to be energized by afollowing train. The circuit of the distant signal of block X, however,located at the entrance of block W, still remains at danger on accountof the break at 7L. \Vhen the train now advances upon block Y, itoperates through the track-circuits of subsections 5, 6, 7, and 8 tobreak the circuits through circuit-controllers 7L2 and k and close thecircuit through circuit-controller m". The break at 7L2 breaks thecircuit for the home signal B, breaks again the circuit for the distantsignal A, already broken at Ya, causing signal B to go to danger andsignal A to remain at danger in the rear of the train. The break at kdeenergizes the circuit for the distant signal B, putting this signal todanger in the rear of the train. This closing of m energizes the circuitfor the home signal 0, putting this signal to safety in advance of thetrain, and closing at 0 by means of magnet n the circuit for the distantsignal 0, putting it to safety in advance of the train. \Vhen the trainleaves block X, circuit-controllers 7b, 76, and m return to their normalposition, and the home and distant signals of block X are in conditionto again go to safety before an advancing train. Distant signal A,however, remains at danger on account of the break at 71 Thus it will beseen that when a train enters a block it puts the home and distantsignals at the entrance of the block to danger to guard the trains rearand that at the same time it puts the home and distant signals at theentrance of the next block in advance to safety, provided, of course,this block is clear. It will also be seen that a train is guarded in therear by the home and distant signals for the block occupied by thetrain, the former being located at the entrance of the block and thelatter being located at the entrance of the block next in the rear.

In some cases of course the normal dangersignals could be put to safetywhen the train is at some other point than the entrance of a block, andthis point could be located at any place in the rear of the signals thatconvenience might direct. Again, in some cases the distant signals couldbe located at points other than the entrance of a block. For example,the distant signal B might in some cases be located in the block X or inthe block Y.

E and F are switches operatively connected with means for controllingthe electric condition of the circuit for the signals B A. As hereshown, these means are the circuit breakers pp. \Vhen the switches areclosed for main-line trafiic, the circuit-breakers p p are closed, asshown, so that the signals B and A may indicate safety in advance of anapproaching train. lVhen either of the switches is open, the circuits ofthese signals are broken and the signals cannot be put to safety.

E and F are switch-indicators for indicating to the switchmen theapproach of a train, so that they may know whether it is safe or not tooperate the switches. These indicators are controlled by a circuit whichis as follows: batteryD circuit-controller 7L2, wire 10, wire 27,connected at 28 with wire 10, circuit-com troller q, and wires 29 and30. A magnet 0', connected with wire 10 and therefore normallydeenergized, controls circuit-controller q, which is normally closed, asshown, so that the circuit for the indicators is normally energized, theindicators at this time showing safety. When a train is in the block \Vor the block X, the current of battery D finds a closed path eitherthrough the circuit-controllers 7t and 0 or circuit-controller m, as thecase may be, and this closed path being arranged to have the properresistance with respect to the path through the indicators the circuitfor the indicators will be broken at g by magnet 9, and thus theindicators will show danger.

\Vhile the embodiment of the invention as herein shown and described isbelieved to be best for most cases, yet there are various changes in thearrangement of parts that might be made Without departing from the butincluding track instruments, may with some advantage be used and thetrack-circuits might with some advantage be not normally closed noroperatively connected together. Again, signals normally at safety mightin some cases be used with advantage. This will all be readilyunderstood. Again, while the multiple arrangement for the electricconnection of home and distant signals for a block is preferred, yet itneed not in all cases be employed, and the blocks need not in all casesbe divided into a plurality of subsections. Various other changes whichwill suggest themselves to any one skilled in the art may be readilymade without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is embraced in thefollowing claims:

1. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into blocks, home and distant signals normally at dangerfor the blocks, a home signal and a distant signal being located at theentrance of each block, each home and distant signal having a separatemotor peculiar to itself, normally-deenergized signal-circuits for thesignals and normally-closed rail-circuits controlled by a train forenergizing and denergizing the signal-circuits to operate the signals,the arrangement being such that a home and distant signal may be put tosafety by a train in the rear of the signals, both of said signals maybe put to danger by a train in the block guarded by the home signal, andthe distant signal may be also put to danger by a train in the block inadvance of the block guarded by said home signal, substantially as setforth.

2. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of ablock of a track divided into subsections, home and distant signals forthe block normally at danger, normally-denergized signal-circuits forthe signals, normally-closed track-circuits for the subsections of theblock, controlling the electric condition of the signal-circuits,saidtrackcircuits being operated upon by a passing train for operating thehome and distant signals, means controlled by a train in the rear of thesignals for energizing their circuits to put the signals to safety,'thearrangement being such that a train may put the home and distant signalsto safety when in the rear thereof, may put the distant signal to dangerwhen in advance thereof and in the rear:

of the home signal, and may put both signals ways the combination of ablock of a'track divided into subsections, home and distant signals forthe block normally at danger, each home and distant signal having aseparate motor peculiar to itself, normally-denergized signal-circuitsfor the signals, normally-closed track-circuits for the subsections ofthe block controlling the electric condition of the signal-circuits,said track-circuits being operated upon by a passing train for operatingthe home and distant signals, means controlled by a train in the rear ofthe signals for energizing their circuits to put the signals to safety,said track-circuits including the rails of the track and so connectedthat when one of them is operated another is also operated, thearrangement being such that a train may put the home and distant signalsto safety when in the rear thereof, may put the distant signal to dangerwhen in advance thereof and in the rear of the home signal, and may putboth signals to danger when in the block guarded by the home signal,substantially as set forth.

4. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into blocks, home and distant signals for the blpcks, ahome and a distant signal being located at the entrance to each block,each home and distant signal having a separate motor peculiar to itself,signal-circuits for the signals, and normally-closed track-circuitscontrolled by a train for operating the signal-circuits to put thesignals to danger, the arrangement being such that the home and distantsignals at the entrance of a block may be put to danger and held thereWhile a train occupies the block immediately in advance of the signals,the distant signal being also held at danger while the train is in thenext block in advance, substantially as set forth.

5. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of aseries of blocks divided into subsections, normally-closed trackcircuitsfor the subsections, home and distant signals normally at danger for theblocks, a home signal and a distant signal being located at the entranceof each block, each home and distant signal having a separate motorpeculiar to itself, normally-deenergized signal-circuits for the signalscontrolled by the track-circ uits, the arrangement being such that atrain operates a track-circuit in the rear of a home signaland a distantsignal at the entrance of a block to put the signals to safety, andoperates the trackcircuits of the block immediately in advance of saidsignals to put the signals to danger and operates one or moretrack-circuits of the block next in advance to hold the distant signalat danger, substantially as set forth.

6. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of aseries of blocks divided into subsections,normally-closed trackcircuitsfor the subsections, home and distant signals for the blocks, a homesignal and a distant signal being located at the entrance of each block,signal-circuits for the signals controlled by the track-circuits, thearrangement being such that a train operates the track-circuits of theblock immediately in advance of the home and distant signals that are atthe entrance of said block to cause them to show danger and operates oneor more track-circuits of the block next in advance to cause the saiddistant signal to show danger, substantially as set forth.

7. In anelectric signaling system for railways, the combination of aseries of blocks, each divided into subsections, track-circuits for thesubsections adapted to be operated by a train and so connected that whenone is operated another is also operated, home and distant signals forthe blocks, each home and distant signal having a separate motorpeculiar to itself, normally at danger, a home signal and a distantsignal being located at the entrance of each block, normally-deenergizedsignal-circuits for the signals,controlled by the said track circnits,the arrangement being such that a passing train may put the home anddistant signals at the entrance of a block to safety when in the rear ofsaid signals, may put said signals to danger when in the said block, andmay hold the distant signal at danger when in the next block in advance,substantially as set forth.

8. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination ofaseries of blocks divided into subsections, track-circuits for thesubsections so connected that when one is operated another is alsooperated, home and distant signals for the blocks, a home signal and adistant signal being located at the entrance of each block,signal-circuits for the signals controlled by the track-circuits, thearrangement being such that a train opcrates the track-circuits of theblock immediately in advance of the home and distant signals that are atthe entrance of said block to cause them to show danger and operates oneor more track-circuits of the block next in advance to cause the saiddistant signal to show danger, substantially as set forth.

. 1). In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into blocks, home and distant signals normally at dangerfor the blocks, a home signal and a distant signal being located at theentrance of each block, normally-deenergized signalcircuits for thesignals and means controlled by a train for energizing and denergizingthe signal-circuits to operate the signals, each home and distant signalhaving a separate motor peculiar to itself, the arrangement being suchthat a home and distant signal may be put to safety by a train in therear of the signals, both of said signals may be put to danger by atrain in the block guarded by the home signal, and the distant signalmay also be held at danger by a train in the blockin advance of theblock guarded by said home signal, the circuits for the home and distantsignals at the entrance of ablock being so connected that the operationof the circuit for the home signal to put it to safety initiates theoperation of the circuit for the distant signal to putit to safety,substantially as set forth.

10. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of aseries of blocks divided into subsections, normally closedtrack-circuits for the subsections, home and distant signals normally atdanger for the j blocks, a home signal and a distant signal beinglocated at the entrance of each block, normally-deemergizedsignal-circuits for the signals controlled by the track-circuits, thearrangement being such that a train operates a track-circuit in the rearof a home signal and a distant signal at the entrance of a block to putthe signals to safety, and operates the track-circuits of the blockimmediately ;in advance of said signals to put the signals to danger andoperates one or more trackcircuits of the block next in advance to holdthe distant signal at danger, the circuits for the home and distantsignals at the entrance of a block being so connected that the operationof the circuit for the home signal to put it to safety initiates theoperation of the circuit for the distant signal to put it to safety,substantially as set forth.

11. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of aseries of blocks, each divided into subsections, track-circuits for thesubsections adapted to be operated by a train and so connected that whenone is operated another is also operated, home and distant signals forthe blocks, each home and distant signal having a separate motorpeculiar to itself, normally at danger, a home signal and a distantsignal being located at the entrance of each block, normally-deenergizedsignal-circuits for the signals,controlled by the said track-circuits,the arrangement being such that a passing train may put the home anddistant signals at the entrance of a block to safety when in the rear ofsaid signals, may put said signals to danger when in the said block, andmay put the distant signal to danger when in the next block in advance,the circuits for the home and distant signals at the entrance of a blockbeing so connected that the operation of the circuit for the home signalto put it to safety initiates the operation of the circuit for thedistant signal to put it to safety, substantially as set forth.

12. In an electric signaling system for railways, the combination of atrack divided into blocks, track-circuits for the blocks, home anddistant signals normally at danger for the blocks, a home signal and adistant signal being located at the entrance of each block, each homeand distant signal having a separate motor peculiar to itself,normally-deemergized signal-circuits for the signals controlled by thetrack-circuits, the arrangement being such that a train operates thesignals in advance to put them to safety, the train being guarded in therear by a home signal at danger and two distant signals at danger,substantially as set forth.

13.- In an electric signaling system forrailways, the combination of anormally-closed track divided into blocks, track-circuits for theblocks, home and distant signals normally at danger for the blocks, ahome signal and a distant signal being located at the entrance of eachblock, normally-denergized signal-circuits for the signals controlled bythe track-circuits, the arrangement being such that a train operates thesignals in advance to put them to safety, the train being guarded in therear by a home signal at 20

